Tion of new jebsey



E. S. HALSEY & G. G. PERKINS.

LEATHER EDGE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I2. I912.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

STATES @FFICE.

EDWARD HALSEY AN D GEORGE-G. PERKINS, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATEBSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORA- TION OF NEW'JER EY.

LEATHEB-I EDGE-FINIS HING MACHINE.

- Application filed .l'anuary 12, 1912. Ser1alNo.670,801.

chines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a machine or carrying out the process disclosed in our prior Patent No. 1,047,211 and is herein illustrated in connection with a machine for applying intense and concentrated shriveling heat to the flesh side of a piece of leather 15 along a narrow line at the margin and to the raw edge itself, this application being accomplished by a hot tool trailing said edge and margin so as to shrinkthe margin on the flesh side and curl back the grain or finished side of theleather toward the shrunken side whereby there is presented a partially rounded finished edge in place of the original raw cut edge.

Ourobject isprimarily to save the time, labor, and expense of skiving, cementing,

folding back and pressing the edges, par-.

ticularly as is required in high'grade shoemaking, and to produce at least an equally desirable result as with the more laborious method referred to, also to save the cement and leather wasted in folding.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate our invention, similar numerals and 1 letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a complete machine suitable for accomplishing the results described, While Fig. 2 'is a vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Figs.3 and 4 are front and side elevations of an electrically heated scorching tool as used in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 shows a front elevation of a gas heated tool which may be used alternatively with the tool shown in Figs 1 and 2. Fig. Gshows a crosssection through a fragment 'of leather to illustrate the finished edge characteristic of our method. Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the roller shaft 9 and- Bpeoiflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug.

its sliding bearing 23, looking from the front of the machine.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the embodiment of the machine which is illustrated herein, there is a base consistingof top and bottom. plates a and b and posts 0, the top plate constituting .a table .or support on which the leather to be acted on may be placed. To the side of the base is secured a bracket 20 which provides a bearing for and supports a driving shaft 9, carrying a pulley 22 which is keyed to the shaft. This. pulley is the primary driving element and is rotated by a belt 221.

An upright shaft 161 is supported at its lower end in a step bearing 162 in the bottom plate 7) of the machine frame, and the upper end of the shaft is contained in the bearing of the top plate a. The step bearing 1G2'is adjustable longitudinally of theshaft, being conveniently a screw plug threaded into the plate b,-so that it may be employed to adjust the shat-band bring the end face 16 thereof approximately into the plane of theupper surface of the plate or work sup port a. ETh'e upperend of shaft 161 is recessedfarid contains a memberQ-S which is structurally ,a tubular stud or roll, and is functionally a pressing member or edge presser for acting upon the edge of the leather to be treated, in a manner prcscntly to be described. Said stud or roll 28is movable longitudinallyupon a rod or post 281, which in this machine is a screw passing through the roll28 into the shaft. A spring 282 in the recess beneath the roll holds the latter elevated to the full extent permitted by the head of the screw post 281. On the upper end of the stud or roll 28 there is an outwardly projecting flange 17. The shaft is rotated by a pulley .18 secured thereon, to which motion is given by a belt 181 driven by a pulley 222connected with the pulley 22, and passing around guide pulleys 19 mounted on the bracket 20.

The machine includes a means for applying intense heat to the surface of a leather Fig. 4. The ends of this heating or searing element are secured in mechanical and electrical connection with conducting bars or rods 2, which for mechanical convenience are semi-cylindrical and are placed with their flat sides adjacent to one another in a holding sleeve or shell 3. Insulation is placed between the two bars 2 and also between the latter :and the outer'shell 3, as shown by the heavy lines in Figs. 1 and 3. While the shape and construction of the heating tool may be varied without departure from the broader aspects of the invention, yet the particular construction here illustrated and described is particularly important because it enables a compact and efficient tool to be produced at low cost.

When the conducting bars 2 are "connected in an electrical circuit, and a current is allowed to flow, the heating element 1 is heated to a high temperature which depends on its electrical resistance and the intensity of the current.

Without intending to limit ourselves to any particular material to be used for the heating element or to any particular degree of heat to whichthe same is to be raised While in use, we may say that we prefer to make the heating element of platinum or of an alloy having a high resistance, and to heat when in use.

The tool last above described is secured in. a holder 4 so shaped as partially to embrace the body portion or shank of the tool, by means of a set screw 5 which is supported by a bracket 41 carried by the holder 4, the set screw being located opposite to the open side of the holder and extending toward the latter. a

The holder is supported by a plate 12 mounted on posts 15 rising from the top plate or table a, being thus supported by fiat springs 6, 6 having slots through which a holding screw 14 passes into the plate 12. A spacing sleeve or thiinble 7 is mounted on the screw 14 between the springs 6, 6, holding the springs apart and serving to clamp them both when the screw 14 is turned. The slots in the spring strips 6, 6 allow the holder 4 and the tool carried thereby to he adjusted both angularly about the screw 14 and toward or away from the same, whereby its position may-be accurately located with respect to the shaft 161, stud 28, a post or pin 24 rising from the table a, and a feed wheel '8. J v

Feed wheel 8 is mounted on the shaft 9 and is arranged over the table a in contact with the flange 17 of the stud 28. 9 passes through a slidingadjujstable bearing 23 having guides through which the post's 15 pass, on which the bearing may move toward and away from the table. A spring 11 secured to the plate 12 resses downwardly on the bearing 23, urging the feed wheel toward the table. Ascrew threaded through the plate 12 regulates the pressure of spring 11. A spring 21. secured to the bracket 20 bears on the hub portion ofthe pulley 22 and through the latter exertsend thrust on the shaft 9 tending to keep-the feed wheel 8 in contact with the flange .1 1. .A screw 211 regulates the pressure'of spring 21.

sheet of leather which is, laid on the table a and turntable 16 with its edge .in contact with the side of stud 28. The arrangement of transmission belt 181 is such as to cause the adjacent parts of ,the turntable 16 and, feed wheel 8 to move 1n the same direction,

whereby the edge of a piece gripped between the turntable, and feed wheel is fed. The turntable and .feed wheel thus. constitute complemental workqgripping and feeding' The spring, 11 causes members or means. the feed wheel -to exert a resilient pressure against the piece and allows it to yield for inequalities in thickness of the piece.

The heating tool is located at one side of and close to the point where the feed wheel and'turntable grip the leather. at which the wire constituting the heating element 1 is bent double and forms the end of that element, and the portion between such end and the bend, previously described, lies approximately parallel to thesurfacepf the work support and is adapted to hearon tlie'surface of a leather piece placed on the support and properly positioned. The form The point of the heating element gives an area of 'con- H heat tocach point of the leather fed past it for a sutlicientlv long time to secure the results desired. The longitudinal dimension of this part of the tool is not in or parallel to the plane of rotation of the feed wheel Which' directs or bends the edge, of the leather upwardly and holds it against the searingtool.

The operation of the machme can .now be understood The leather piece to be treated is laid on the table a with that edge whichis to be finished in contact with the stud 9A and the stud 28, and ready to be passed under the feed wheel 8 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. Current being allowed ,to pass through the tool, the heatling element 1 is brought to the temperature desired and is caused to apply heat to the surface of theleather immediately beneath it. Ordinarily it rests upon the surface of the leather. being yieldingly held against the leather by the springs 6, 6 and adapted to yield for irregularities in the thickness of the leather and to permit parts of greater thickness to pass without binding. The distance away from theedge at which the element 1 acts on the leather is regulated by the adjustment of the tool with respect to the studs 24 and 28., Ordinarily the heating tool is arranged to act on a narrow path on the flesh side of the leather piece-admining the edge of lhepiecc. As the leather is fed under the heating tool it is progressively acted upon by the tool throughout the extent of the edge to be treated.- The leather is laid with its grain side toward the table and its flesh. side exposed to the heating tool. The action of the heating tool is to sear, momentarily render plastic, 'and c0- agulate the flesh side of the leather at or near the edge, thus shrinking and drawing back-the leather on that side, and curling.

over the grain surface at the edge. Upon cooling, the flesh side is left in a permanently shrunken and hardened state, the.

. piece having a smooth rounded edge over which the grain surface of the leather extends as far as the flesh side, giving the edge appearance as when 'skived and This tool is preferably constructe .o

the leather, that we provide the rolling stud 28 and the fixed stud 24, and it is also the reason .for. arranging thejsearing tool and the line of feed obliqueto .the lane of rotatiori of the feeding wheel 8. ,7 of the line of feed to the feeding wheel after the heated portion of the leather leaves the heating tool,gand while, therefore, it is still .hot and -.plasti c. thus confined in the space between the' fla,nge--1 7,

- the turntable 1 6;andthe-sidepfthe stud 28, and vbeing pressed into such Zspacegby -'}the feed. wheel, is; molded, and ven a .form which is approximately 'iumfo rm at all points along theedge. :At Ethe'sa me timethe molding members, which ,arejcomparw tively cool, chill'f'the leather and therebyset it in its molded shape.

. Fig. '6 shows in cross section th e final his obliquity 1 causes the latter to crowdthe edge of the leather against-v the istud-28, immediately shapeof the finished edge. The grain iside of the leather piece is indicated at-G and the flesh side at F. It ,will be noted that the surface extends on a smooth curve over this finished edge .to the flesh side.

finished edge is rounded and that the; grain \Ve do not limit the invention :to the use I of an electrically heatedscorchingtool, as

we contemplatethe use of ,other forms of heating means. One such ;-,foin\. is shown'in F ig. 5 where a. gas heated tool is {illustratd p V faihol low platinum pointl to which gas is conducted by a pipe 30., ,Withintheehollow point .is a p'latinum gauze portion operating stood. In the side of the tool'isfgyent aperturc 32 for .escapeofiheatingflam This is merely onema-nner,Ortforrhcfheati tool which we may employ! .Asolidibodyzheated ;j

'on a catalytic principle as commonly' under- I I to the required point in any other way would be within the-scope'of thebroader aspects ofour inyentiomand so also would a jet of steam or flame or other highly heated gas, properly directed to'act at the desired point on the leatherax \Vc have "found that any destructive temperature,.that is'a temperature high enough tocause decomposition or destructive distil lation of the leather, will answer in carrying out our invention, andthat. temperatures scarcely as high as red heat'm'ay be made passes from the'action of the scorching tool before the heathirs penetrated slifiiciently far into and through the leather to injure the appearance or its outer surface, or its The'hase of the stud 24 is made somewhat ta'pcrecl' or. inclined as"sh own.jm" Fig.6 m

orderte turn up the edge a-t'l the'point engagged bythe'scorching tool to facilitate the .f purpose the'snrfacc of the turntable' lfi near thefstud 28 is'iii c'lined out rardly as-shown Tl; istdbe understood that our. process curling back and rounding the edg'e'of the leather in a perma'nntnianner, bntthat at t the sametiniedfmakes therrjiore'or less.

described. or to one in which the searing -'tool is relath 'ely sta-tir'imu'yhnd. the leather is. fed past the tool. Anymachine including a ,hea'ti'n'gancan's adapted to act: err-a limited area m the surface of a -leather piece and raise the temperature ofJthe piece-locally such .afteniperature as to sear and shrink the part actcduipon; and'is'arrangcd so that I in a position to make (-nutaetwitlg' "the sur- :tat'eiof a. leatherpiece placed lretween the support andthe-tool, and means for maiuhtainini: said tool at a temperature sullieiently-high to sear-the leather.

3. Il'liUfllilit. fox-finishing the edge of a leather piece comprising a support. for the piece, a searing tool held from nm'ement in the line of feed, means for heatingsaid tool to a temperature sulliciently high to sear or scorch the leather located adjacent to said support, and guiding means for the edge of the piece arranged so to l cate. the. piece that a portion thereof close. to its edge is exposedto the action of the tool.

curling back of the edge. and fertile same 'ing not-only accomplishesthe-desired efffect of piece to" chine. baring al the elements hereinhefore- II eat-her j comprising a Slipportifor the.

mg said tool to a temperature approximatmg incandescence, and means for holding a leather piece with a portion of thesurfaceadjacent to an edge of the. piece in contact with the tool.-

SLI Aniaehine hf the 'el'laracterdescribed;- i

comprisinga searing tool, means for heating said" tool to a temperatureapproximating a leather piece with aportion 'of' the surface adjacent to an edge of. the piece in that of incande s cc'nee, means'for holde contact with the tool and means for feedingsuch piece past'thetooh v (1A machineof the. character described comprising a searing tool held from movement int-he line of feed, means forheating said tool to a temperature at which it iwill scorch leather. means for holding a' leather pieeeavith a portion of the surface adjacent to an edge of the piece in contact with the tool. and means for exerting pressure against the edge of the. piece. I i

7. A leather edge-finishingmachine. comprising means for applying heat sn tlic'ientto sear or scorch leather to a limited areaof I the surface of a leather piece adjaccnttdand at the edge thereof, and-means for Texe'rtingi pressure against the-edgeof the piece. adja cent to "the heated area?! 8.v A leather edge-finishing machine. co n .prisin; means for :ipiplyi'nf; heat sdllieient a! relatiremotion between the piece and the tool'may take-place, is Within the. scope of *ing'means .to efi'ecta progressive'suhjeetion of the ed'gc porti'on of the piece to said 9. An apparatus for leather edge linishinf; (-o'u'Iprising-in emnllinatlion; means' for supporting a leather p ece. a searing tool held "l l'ulll uun'eluentin the lint inf feed arranged relatxrelr to said supporting means so as toeugage the surface of a leather piece on said supporting means. meansfor heating the tmrltu a temperature sullieiently high toseereh leather. and an edge pressing menlhei loeated in'surh relation to saidsup j ;|;ueans as to engage the edgeufa leather ieee supported lr v said means. and in eloseproximity to said tool.

I". n apparatus for leather edge finishing. comprising: in reunhination. a tool adapted to hear upon a surface of a leather piece adjacent one edge thereof. means for heatiu; said tool to a temperature such that it will scorch the leather. means for supporting said piece. a pres ing memher located ad jnrent the tool and arranged to engage the edgeand' upper marginal surface of said piece, and feeding means for carrying the piece past said tool constructed and arranged to crowd the piece against said pressing means, a i

11. A leather edge-finishing apparatus comprising guiding means adapted to be engaged by the edge of a leather piece, and heat applying means having a temperature higher than that at which decomposition of leather by heat commences, located in close proximity to said guiding means, whereby to apply scorching heat to a line on the surface and near the edge of a leatherpiece carried past said heating means with its edge in contact wi h said guidingnieans.

12. It. leather edge-finishing apparatus comprising means for supporting and guiding the edge portion of a leather piece, and heat-applying means having a temperature higher than the temperature at which decomposition of leather by heat commences, so arranged with respect to said supporting and guiding means as to apply scorching heat to allmited area of the surface near the edge of a piece engaged with said supporting and guiding means.

13. leather'edge-finishing machine comprising in combination a heating tool maintained during operation at a temperature sufiiciently high to scorch leather, and being constructed with an elongated narrow contacting portion, and means for carrying a leather piece past and substantially in contact with said tool, at'a rate such that the surface of the iece adjacent to the tbol is destructively a ected by the heat of the tool, while the opposite face of the piece is unaffected;

14. A leather edge-finishing machine comprising in'combination a heating tool maintained during operation at a temperature suflicientlyhigh to scorch leather, and being constructed with an elongated narrow contacting portion, and means for causing a narrow portion extending along and adlacent to the edge of a leather piece, on one surface of the piece to be exposed temporarily and progressively-to the action of said tool for a time sufiiciently long'to cause contraction of the surface next to tlieitool, and insuiiiciently long to burn or otherwise injure the opposite face of the piece.

15. An apparatus of the character described comprising cooperating feed rnembers adapted to grip the edge of a leather piece, one of said members having its axis approximately perpendicular to the plane of the piece, an edge presser mounted upon said last named member, and a heated scorching tool having an elongated operative element beside and extending toward said feed members, the complemental feed member having an axis approximately parallel to the plane of the work and inclined to the direction in which said tool extends,

I whereby the plane of rotation of said member is oblique to the line in which the work is fed past the tool, and the edge of the work is thereby crowded against the edge of the edge presser.

16. A machine of thecharacter described comprising complemental work feeding members adapted to engage opposite faces of a leather piece adjacent 0 an edge thereof, an edge presser mounted to cross the edge of a piece engaged with said members, and a heated scorching tool adapted to en'- gage one surface of the piece near its-edge, whereby to scorch and contract such surface and curl over the adjacent edge, said tool being so located that a line therefrom to the point at which 'said members engage the work is oblique to the direction of movement of one of the feed members which engages the work, whereby said feed memher is caused to force the edge of the work against the edge presser,

17. A leather edge-finishing machine comprisinga work support, a post rising above Said work support, a searing tool yieldingly held by said post at a distance above the 'work support approximately equal to the thickness of'a thin sheet of leather, an edge guide rising from the work support adjacent to the searing tool, and a rotating feed roller above the work support and near said edge guide, arranged to rotate in a plane making an oblique angle with a line from thial searing tool to .the attive point of the ro comprising a rotating member or turntable having a ace adapted to support the edge said turntable and yieldingly pressed toward the same for engaging a piece laid V on said turntable,a stud rising above Said turntable arranged to cross and be engaged by the edge of a piece held by said turntable and feed roll, and having a flange overhanging the adjacent part of the table, and a heated searing tool adjacent to said feed roll in position to heat the surface, adjacent to the edge, of a piece engaged by said roll.

19. A machine of the character described comprising a rotating member ornturntable having a face adapted to support the edge is. A machine (if the'character described of a leather piece, a feed roll arranged over I of a leather piece, a feed roll arranged over so I 1' 'jected to said heatingjmean's' to "a period-in;

the shrunken side I to 'present a finished edge.

21. A machine for finishing the edge of a P c 9 s e -eomr n a o t r the, piece, land} means for progressively shrinkingthe margin on ,one side;. of said piece in such manner that the margin of the unshrunken side is caused to curl to-- shrunken side to present a finished 22. A machine for' finishing the edge of a piece of leather, comprising a support for the piece, and means for'heatingfthe surface ofthe piece adjacent to'oneedge thereof to. a temperature Sufficient tq shrink such surface s s 23, A machine for finishing the edge of a, piece of leathercomprising means for hold- "ing a piece of leather means for heating one surface ofsuch a piece at the margin there of to a temperature sufficiently high to, I shrinksuch surface,,; and meansfor limiting'fthe time during-which the piece is su' suflicient to permit penetration of theshrinlg ingjt'emperature to theopposite spr face-oia the piece, whereby, thefmargin of the-run. shrunken surface is. caused to, curl toward, 'the shrunken surface to-prodncea finished-e edge}; 1 24. A machine for finishing the edge ofga piece, of leather comprising means for hold.- in'g'a piece of leather, -means fQr-iheating one surface of sucha piece it he marg-inthere of. teal-temperature sufiiciently high 1 to shrink such surface, and means for frames-.1 ing the part of such piece which is subjected, to the action of said heating means from the influence of such actionbe fore the sh'riiikwy ingfltemperature has penetrated tanieqppo, site, surface of such par-t, whereby thBi udl-ip shrunken side vof the piece' is'c urled toward 25, machine for finishingrtheredge of" a piece; of; leather, comprising a support for the piece, means for heating'the surface of the piece adjacent? to one-,edge thereof to a temperature suflicient-to shrink such surface, and'means for feedi'ng the piece at a rate of speed sufficiently rapid to-remove the piecefrom', the influence of said; heating means 1 before the shrinkin temperature has pene tflited to'theopposi e side of the piece.

machine for leatheredge finishingcmn prixing 'a support, a guide arranged to engagef theedge ofa leather pieceonsaid su'nporn a tool a'rranged'over said support "in position to make-contact with -'a surface of the piece at and adjacent to such edge, means for heating said tool to die temperature at which it will shrink leather, and means for feeding the piece past said tool and guide at such .a rate as to remove the portion thereof on which said tool acts from the influence of said tool before the shrinking temperature can penetrate to the opposite surface of the piece 27. A machine for finishing the edge a piece of leather comprising a support or the piece, a searing tool, means for heating said tool to a temperature sufficiently high to sear the leather, and meansfor causing said tool to traverse the margin of said piece in such manner that the traversed side of the margin is shrunk and the untraversed sige caused to curl toward the traversed si e.

28. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprisingea support for said piece, searing tool la dmeans for feeding said piece past )daid o'l, with saidtool in contact with the mar h hnd extreme edge of said piece in suc nanner'that the seared margin is shrunl, 6' due side, and

, the margin on the othersi e is caused to curl toward the, shrunkerf side topresent a finished edge. 29.. A machine for finishing the edge ofa piece of leather, comprising means for rendering the piece temporarily plastic at the edge-thereof, and means for molding said edgeinto finished formtvhile the same is plastic.

30. A machine for finishing the edge of a leather piece, comprising means for applying to one side-of the piece at-tl1e margin thereof heat sufficiently intense to render" the leather temporarily plastic, and edge- ,formingmeans arranged to apply pressure against the edge of the piece while the margin is in the plastic condition.

31. -A machine for finishing the edge of a leather piece, comprising heat-applying means having a temperature sufficiently high to render leather temporarily plastic, feedingmeans arranged and operated to feed the margin of said piece past said heat-applying means, with one surface of the piece in" contact therewith, and molding means-at one side of the feeding path'of said marginand arranged to bear on the edge of the piece in such proximity to the heat-applying means as to apply pressure to the leather While the same'remains plastic.

'32. A machine for finishing, the edge of asleather piece', comprising heat applying means andedge molding means in proximi'ty, and feeding means arranged and operating to feed the edge portion of a' leather piece progressively past the said heating means with tlie'surface at such edge in contact therewith, and thence to said molding nieans,said heating means having a temperature sufficiently high to render the leather temporarily plastic, and the molding means being in such proximity to the heating means as to act on the leather while the same remains in the plastic condition.

33. A leather edge finishing machine, comprising a support for a piece of leather and heat-applying means arranged over said support and adaptedto apply heat of an intensity sufiicient to shrink leather, said heat-applying means being arranged yieldingly to make heat-transferring contact on a piece on said support, with a pressure less than sutlicient to crush the leather.

34. A leather edge finishing machine, comprising a support for a piece of leather and heat-applying means arranged over said support and adapted to apply heat of an intensity sutlicient to soften leather, and means for so holding said heat-applying means as to cause the same to make light yielding contact with a piece on said support with a pressure insuilicicnt to cause crushing of the softened leather.

35. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool, means for causing said tool to sear the margin of said piece, and means for bending the edge of the piece toward said tool.

36. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool, means for causing said tool to act upon the margin of said piece, and means for displacing the margin of said piece away from the plane of said support and toward said tool.

37. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool, means for causing said tool to act upon the margin of said piece, and 'an edge gage the base of which extends beneath the edge of said piece and directs said edge upwardly toward said too :Js. A machine For finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a supportfor said piece, a searing tool, means for causing sai'l tool to act progressively upon the margirl of said piece and means for bending the edge of the piece toward said tool.

39. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool, an edge gage located adjacent said tool, said gage having an inclined portion adapted to bend the edge of said piece toward said tool, and means for causing relative movement between said piece and said tool and edge gage to shrink t-he'margin of said piece on one side and thereby to cause the margin on the other side to curl toward the shrunken side.

40. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool arranged to act on the margin on one side of said piece, and an edge molding member arranged to act upon the edge of said ,piece subsequently to the and soften leather, an edge molding device,

and means for producing a relative movement between a leather piece and said tool and molding device in such manner that the margin of the piece is first subjected to the action of said tool and then to said device; said device being located in such proximity to the searing tool as to act on the leather during the continuance of the softened condition given by the tool, and being constructed to mold the softened edge into finished form. 4

43. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool arranged to act on the margin on one side of said piece. a mold ing member arranged to act upon the edge of said piece subsctpiently to the action of the searing tool, a turntable and a feed roll which eoiiperai'e to feed said piece, and means for rotating said turntable and roll.

44. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece. a searing tool arranged to act on the margin on one side of said piece, an edge gage shaped to bend thcedge of said piece toward said tool, a molding member arranged to act upon the edge of said piece ubsequently to the action of the searing tool, a turntable and a feed roll which cooperate to feed said piece, and means for rotating said turntable and roll. 1

45. A machine for finishing the edgefof a piece of leather comprising a support for the". piece, a searing tool in the form of a highly heated electric conductor. and means for applying on the flesh side whereby said margmns shrunk and the grain side curled toward the flesh side to present a finishededge.

46. A leather edge-finishing machine comprising a work support, a post rising above said work support, a searingdool held by said post at a distance above the work support approximately equal to the thickness of athin sheet 'of leather. an edge guide rising from the work support adjacent to the searing tool, and a rotating feed roller above said tool to the margin of said piece the work support and near said edge guide, arranged to rotate in a plane making an oblique angle with a line from the Haring tool to the active point of the roll.

47. A machine of the character described comprising a rotating member or turntable having a face adapted to support the edge of a leather piece, a feed roll arranged over said turntable for engaging a piece laid on said 'rrntahlc, a n'iolding member arranged to be engaged by the edge of a piece held by said turntablennd feed roll, and having a flange overhanging the adjacent part of the table, and a heated searing tool adjacent to said teed roll in position to heat the surface, adjacent to the edge of a piece engaged by said roll.

48. A machine of the character described comprising a rotating member or turntable havin, a lace adapted to support the edge of a leather piece a feed roll arranged over said turntable for engaging a piece laid on said turntable, a stud arranged to be engaged by the edge of a piece held by said turntable and feed roll. and having a flange overhanging the adjacent part of the table, and a heated searing tool adjacent to said t'ccd roll in position to heat the surface, adja cent to the edge. of a piece engaged by said tool and means for supporting said tool.

4 9. A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a supportfor the piece, a scaring tool means for producing relative movement between said piece and tool to sear the margin of the piece, and means whereby said tool may be adjusted "ertically.

A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for the piece, a searing tool, means for producing relative movement between said piece and tool to sear the margin of the piece, and means whereby said tool may be adjusted angularly.

51. A machine tor finishing! the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for the piece, a searing te'ol, means for producing relative movement between said piece and tool to sear the margin of the piece. and means whereby said tool may be adjusted horizontally.

A machine for finishing the edge of a piece of leather comprising a support for said piece, a searing tool, resilient means for permitting said tool to yield in a direc tion substantially perpendicular to the surface of said piece, and means for causing relative movement at a substantially uniform rate of speed between said tool and piece to sear the margin of said piece.

53. A leather edge finishing machine co1nprising heat applying means adapted to be maintained at a temperature higher than that at which decomposition of leathercommences, and means for producing relative movement between a leather piece and said heat applying means at a substantially uniform speed in one direction in a path such that said heat applying means is caused to act upon a narrow area of one surface of the piece at the margin thereof, whereby such surface is shrunken and the opposite edge of the margin is curled toward such shrunken surface 54. A leather edge finishing machine comprising an operating tool, means for propelling and guiding a piece of leather past said tool in a path such that the tool makes contact with one surface of the piece at the margin thereof, and means for heating the tool to a temperature at Which it will cause shrinkage of the leather with which it makes contact, said trail-heating means being constructed and adapted to limit the application of heat to the tool itself.

55. A leather edge finishing machine comprising in combination heat applying means, complemental gripping and feeding means constructed and arranged to propel a leather piece past such heat applying means in a path wherein the marginal portion of one surface of the piece is subjected to the action of the heat applying means, and a pressure exerting member against which the edge of the piece is compressed progressively by said grip ')ing'and feeding means as it leaves the heat applying means.

In testimony whereof we have aflixed our signatures, in presence of two witnesses.

EDVARD S. HALSEY. GEORGE G. PERKINS. Witnesses:

THOMAS F. PORTER, GEORGE BIRDSEYE. 

